Browns’ QB Deshaun Watson suspended, fined $5M following 24 sexual misconduct accusations
Yesterday, August 18, the National Football League released its decisions regarding disciplinary measures to be levied against the quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, Deshaun Watson. The 26-year-old from Gainesville, Georgia, has been suspended without pay for the first 11 games of the 2022 regular season and fined $5 million for violations of the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy. Additionally, Watson will promptly undergo a professional evaluation by behavioral experts and will follow their treatment program.
The announcement came after an agreement reached by the NFL and the NFLPA, and concludes the disciplinary process. Following the NFL’s announcement, Coach Kevin Stefanski informed the media that Watson won’t playing in the Browns’ final two preseason games, according to ESPN.
Watson’s suspension and fines are the result of 24 women filing lawsuits against him accusing him of “coercive and lewd behavior during massage appointments,” according to The New York Times. Watson managed to settle 23 of those sexual misconduct claims.
Watson denied those claims and settled 23 of the 24 civil lawsuits accusing him of coercive and lewd sexual behavior during massage appointments, including two that alleged sexual assault. Grand juries in two Texas counties declined to charge him criminally.
Watson’s fine and contributions from the NFL and the Browns of $1 million each will create a fund of $7 million. This fund will support the work of non-profit organizations across the country that educate young people on healthy relationships, promote education and prevention of sexual misconduct and assault, support survivors, and related causes.
“Deshaun has committed to doing the hard work on himself that is necessary for his return to the NFL,” Commissioner Roger Goodell stated. “This settlement requires compliance with a professional evaluation and treatment plan, a significant fine, and a more substantial suspension. We are grateful to Judge Robinson and Peter Harvey for their efforts in addressing these matters, which laid the foundation for reaching this conclusion.”
On August 1, Judge Sue L. Robinson, the independent Disciplinary Officer jointly appointed by the NFL and NFLPA, found that Watson violated the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy on multiple occasions. She suspended him for six games.
The CBA affords the NFL or NFLPA the right to appeal the discipline imposed by the Disciplinary Officer. Yesterday’s announcement concludes the process and there will be no designee ruling or additional legal steps.
Watson’s suspension will take effect at the final roster cutdown; and he will be eligible for reinstatement on November 28.
For more on Watson’s suspension and fines, and some seemingly contradictory statements he made regarding the NFL’s disciplinary actions against him, see the video accompanying this article.
(Source: NFL)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Follow Richard on Facebook and Twitter
